14 February 2025
If you've ever played a third-person combat game and felt like Spider-Man swinging through a tangle of skyscrapers or Batman leaping across Gotham rooftops, you’re not alone. Third-person action games are really leaning into this whole "verticality" thing lately—and it’s awesome, but also slightly disorienting. Gone are the days of flat, predictable battlefields. Now, it's all about scaling walls, zip-lining across chasms, and using rooftop sniping like a Saturday morning hobby. But how do you adapt to this newfound obsession with up and down? Let’s talk strategies, shall we?
What Is Verticality in Games, Anyway?
Okay, before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s break down what we're talking about here. Verticality in gaming refers to the design of levels or combat spaces where height and elevation play a key role. Think platforms, ledges, cliffs, buildings, rooftops—you get the idea.In the old-school days of third-person shooters and action games, levels were flatter than a pancake. You’d dash, dodge, and roll across straightforward arenas. But now, developers seem to be asking, "What would happen if the floor also decided to be a wall, the wall decided to be a ceiling, and parkour was mandatory?" Verticality is exactly that: it transforms combat areas into multi-dimensional playgrounds.
Why the Sudden Focus on Verticality?
You’re probably asking yourself, “What’s with all the climbing, jumping, and free-falling?” Fair question. The trend toward vertical combat isn't some random fever dream. It’s actually driven by a few key factors.1. Tech Advancements
Let’s face it: games today look gorgeous. Modern engines like Unreal Engine 5 allow developers to craft sprawling, multi-layered environments so realistic you almost feel winded from climbing virtual stairs. With the tech to build vertical spaces, why wouldn’t they?2. Player Expectations Have Evolved
Flat maps are so 2005. Players want complexity. They want challenge. They want to feel like ninjas somersaulting off balconies. That demand for more dynamic experiences? That’s what’s driving developers to crank the verticality knob to 11.3. It Makes Combat Way More Interesting
Verticality forces you to think beyond just "left" or "right." Suddenly, you've got to consider threats (or opportunities) coming from above or below. It’s like playing 4D chess but with explosions and way cooler outfits.
Yvonne McElroy
This article brilliantly captures the essence of adapting to verticality in third-person combat. Embracing height variations not only elevates gameplay but also enhances strategic depth. Developers must prioritize this element to create more dynamic encounters. Elevating player skills will undoubtedly enrich the overall gaming experience.
March 1, 2025 at 5:25 PM